AS2553： Mumei(Unsigned)(Ko-Uda 古宇多)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS25534(Consignment Sale)

Katana in Shirasaya(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Inscription: Mumei(Unsigned)(Ko-Uda 古宇多)

Sayagaki by Tanzan, translation below:
Ecchu no Kuni Kouda
This blade is Osuriage Mumei(greatly-shortened and unsigned), and the jigane and hamon clearly show strong Yamato-style characteristics. The Nioi is deep and the nie is thickly attached, giving the whole piece a bold and vigorous feeling. These features are typical of the Ko-Uda school’s work from an early period no later than the Nanbokuchō era, making it an excellent example of this school’s work.
written by Tanzan in 2018

We divide works in to Saijo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku,and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Mumei(Ko-uda).

Habaki: gold base carved with a hollyhock familycrest
Blade Length: 72.7 cm (28.62 in)
Curvature: 1.0 cm (0.39 in)
Width at Base(Motohaba): 2.94 cm (1.16 in)
Width at tip(Sakihaba): 1.89 cm (0.74 in)
Thickness: 0.62 cm (0.24 in)
Blade Weight: 775g

Era: the late Kamakura to Nancokucho
Shape:
Jigane: Itame with thick Jigane and Chikei. Itame with Masa and Moku on the Shinogi-ji.
Hamon: Suguha with thick nioikuchi with much Nie consisting Nizyu-ba, Sunagashi and Kinsuji.

Features:
The Uda school originated from Yamato Province and later moved to Etchu Province. Its founder was said to be Ko-Nyudo Kunimitsu, who was active during the late Kamakura period, and the school remained active until the Edo period. Works made before the early Muromachi period are referred to as “Ko-Uda”, and those afterward simply as “Uda”

From Aoi-Art:
Both the jigane and the hamon are richly covered with nie, exhibiting a complex appearance that conveys a strong sense of antiquity and beauty. The absence of a bōhi allows appreciation of the workmanship all the way up to the shinogi-ji, which is a notable advantage. It is a blade of enduring visual interest—one that you will never tire of viewing, and I highly recommend it.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Aoi-Art estimation Paper
whole Oshigata